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Three of the four teams in the CCL Blue begin the season in the Top 25, led by defending state champions Mount Carmel and Brother Rice.

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1. Mount Carmel (14-0 in 2025): Defending 8A champion with four straight state titles is loaded again. Senior class has four Power Four commits.

NEXT: Saturday vs. East St. Louis in Normal.

2. Brother Rice (13-1): Defending 7A champion will be strong in the trenches, especially with Notre Dame commit Brayden Parks on defense.

NEXT: Friday at Lincoln-Way East.

3. Montini (14-0): Offense for defending 4A champion should be special behind quarterback Israel Abrams, a Miami commit who can throw to several returning receivers.

NEXT: Friday vs. Hoopeston.

4. Batavia (10-3): Another loaded offense, led by Wyoming commit Michael Vander Luitgaren at quarterback.

NEXT: Friday vs. Maine South.

5. Nazareth (11-2): Three-year title streak was snapped last year, but Roadrunners are coming back with plenty of college talent.

NEXT: Friday at IC Catholic.

6. St. Francis (11-3): Defending 5A champion can contend again but will have hands full in CCL Green with Montini and Nazareth.

NEXT: Friday at New Palestine, Ind.

7. Oswego (11-3): Surprising run to 8A title game could set stage for greater goals, especially with 15 starters returning.

NEXT: Friday vs. Neuqua Valley.

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8. Loyola (4-5): With John Holecek back as coach, there should be plenty of motivation to return to the top.

NEXT: Friday at Warren.

9. Lincoln-Way East (9-3): Is this the last dance for coach Rob Zvonar? Youngest son Colton will lead defense at linebacker.

NEXT: Friday vs. Brother Rice.

10. Providence (10-4): Eleven starters return for 5A runner-up. Ben Coleman is one of the best offensive linemen in the 2028 class.

NEXT: Friday at St. Rita.

11. Bolingbrook (9-3): Young team made some noise in 2025. Defensive end Darieon Prescott, a Notre Dame commit, is the state’s top-ranked junior.

NEXT: Friday vs. Homewood-Flossmoor.

12. Maine South (10-2): Should be another high-powered offense in Park Ridge, led by Indiana commit Jameson Purcell at quarterback.

NEXT: Friday at Batavia.

13. Glenbard West (9-2): After a frustrating finish in 2025, Hilltoppers have the talent to make a longer playoff run.

NEXT: Friday at Lockport.

14. St. Rita (9-5): Six players from the 3A baseball champion are back to try to land another trophy in football.

NEXT: Friday vs. Providence.

15. Downers Grove North (10-3): Run game will be vital to Trojans continuing their recent trend of playing well into November.

NEXT: Friday vs. Morgan Park.

16. Hersey (9-3): Quarterback Jake Nawrot, a Kentucky commit, has been flying up recruiting rankings. Wide receiver Josh Riggs is the top target.

NEXT: Friday vs. Carmel.

17. Geneva (4-5): Quarterback Ben Peterson and wide receiver Bennett Konkey, an Illinois commit, should be a dynamic duo. Vikings lost four games by three points or fewer in 2025.

NEXT: Friday vs. Libertyville.

18. Fenwick (11-3): Jake Thies did it all in a win over East St. Louis in the 6A title game and then committed to Iowa.

NEXT: Friday at Joliet Catholic.

19. Sandburg (7-3): Offense could be dangerous with returning quarterback Sean Ruisz, running back Quinn Durkin

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and receiver Lucas Matykiewicz.

NEXT: Friday at Riverside-Brookfield.

20. York (6-4): Defense will look to dominate with eight veterans back, led by Purdue commit Owen Roberts at defensive end.

NEXT: Friday vs. Glenbrook South.

21. Prospect (7-3): Another potent MSL East offense, with Eastern Illinois commit Jackson Cacini at quarterback and 1,000-yard rusher Matthew Donnelly.

NEXT: Friday at Stevenson.

22. Lake Zurich (9-3): Bears will be trying to win first North Suburban Conference title since 2022 behind new coach Dragan Teonic.

NEXT: Friday vs. Fremd.

23. Barrington (10-2): Broncos looking to repeat in MSL West with running back Lamar Osterhues and experienced offensive line.

NEXT: Friday at Lyons.

24. Homewood-Flossmoor (6-5): Vikings hope to challenge in rugged Southwest Suburban, led by Wisconsin commit David Hill at defensive tackle.

NEXT: Friday at Bolingbrook.

25. Richards (9-2): Not including the spring season of 2021, Bulldogs have won 56 straight games in South Suburban Red.

NEXT: Friday vs. DePaul College Prep.

Others to watch: Warren, Lockport, St. Charles North, St. Patrick, IC Catholic, Palatine, Burlington Central, Wheaton Warrenville South, Glenbrook South, Antioch, Glenbard East.

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